Ancalagon
| Biography: Ancalagon | |
|---|---|
| Birth - Death | First Age 510-587 |
| Race: | Black Dragon |
| Gender: | male |
| Ancalagon | |
| Info: | Destroyer of the Thangorodrim |
Ancalagon the Black was the greatest of Morgoth's dragons and the mightiest winged fire-dragon to ever exist. During the War of Wrath, Morgoth unleashed his hidden winged dragons from Angband against the forces of the Valar. Ancalagon led this host, bringing terror with fire and storms of destruction. The dragons initially drove back the Valar’s armies, causing great devastation across Beleriand.
Ultimately, Eärendil arrived in his ship, accompanied by Thorondor and the great birds of heaven. In a titanic aerial battle, Eärendil slew Ancalagon, casting him from the sky. The dragon fell upon Thangorodrim, breaking the mountains in his ruin and marking the destruction of Morgoth’s greatest fortress.
During the late Third Age, Gandalf referenced Ancalagon, noting that even his fire could not harm the One Ring.
Etymology
Ancalagon is a Sindarin name, derived from anc ("jaws") and the root alak- ("rushing"). In the Noldorin form of the language, it is glossed as "Biting-storm," from anc ("jaw, row of teeth") + alagos ("storm of wind"). In Eriol's Old English translations, the dragon is called Anddraca ("Enemy-dragon").
In-game mentions
- Quest:Rumming's Remaining Riddle has Ancalagon's name in a riddle
- Fingar the Greedy says "I have witnessed the wrath of Ancalagon the Black!"
References
- The Silmarillion, "Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
- Tolkien, J.R.R., The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 10: Morgoth’s Ring
- Christopher Tolkien, The Lost Road and Other Writings